The domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry’s director of enforcement Azman Adam said these four basic food items were part of price calibrations under the Malaysian Family maximum price scheme.

“For example, the price of chicken will be reduced from RM9.30 to RM9.10. Similarly, prices of the three other items will drop 5-10%,” he said when met after a price control scheme walkabout at Mydin Supermarket here today.

Azman said 25,897 business premises nationwide had been inspected under the scheme. Of that number, action was taken in 85 cases, with compound fines of RM20,000 issued as of yesterday.

“Meanwhile, during the Christmas celebrations, from Dec 23 until today, we inspected 7,178 premises but no action was recorded,” he said.

He said under Ops Back to School, inspections were focused on ensuring that traders did not increase the price of school supplies arbitrarily and complied with price controls.

“The ongoing operation until March 20 next year covers nine types of school necessities, including uniforms, bags and shoes. We have inspected 437 premises so far involving a total of 1,858 items.”

In the meantime, prices of goods in flood-hit states were stable and the ministry had not received any complaints of price increases so far.

There was, however, a temporary shortage in supply due to logistics issues, he said.